Yesterday was the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack and, to mark the occasion, Hollywood star Gary Sinise of Forrest Gump fame posted a truly moving tribute to social media.
Sinise Discusses 9/11 Anniversary
“Today, we remember those we lost on September 11, 2001, and the families who continue to grieve,” Sinise began. “The images from that tragic day of the brave men and women who were running towards the crumbling buildings in New York and Washington, and the stories of the brave passengers on United 93 who fought back against the terrorists, are forever embedded in my memory.”
He continued, “I often think of my dear friend, retired New York Fire Captain John Vigiano, whose two sons, one a police officer and the other a firefighter, ran towards danger to save others, losing their lives in the process,” further adding, “I will never take for granted their selfless sacrifice & commitment to rescuing their fellow citizens, and the bravery of all first responders who were lost that day.”
“Today, I think of their families and friends, & their fellow professionals who continue to answer the call each day in our nation’s communities,” Sinise concluded. “I thank God for you all, and I want you to know that I will always have your back. We will never forget.”
Sinise linked the post to his eponymously named foundation, which aims to provide help to veterans and first responders alike.
“Our firefighters, police, and EMTs are indispensable to the safety of our communities,” the Gary Sinise Foundation’s website states. “It’s a perilous job, and oftentimes these heroes must perform with limited resources.”
Sinise Giving Back To First Responders
The actor told Newsmax days before the anniversary that his foundation will be honoring the first responders who died on 9/11 by handing out thousands of meals to first responders in New York City throughout this week.
“On Sept. 13-15, we’re going to be serving 2,500 meals to about 220 different [first responder] stations across New York City as part of our Gary Sinise Foundation’s Serving Heroes program to honor the men and women who were lost on that terrible day and to salute and pay tribute to those who go out each and every day to protect our cities,” he declared. “God bless them all.”
Sinise went on to say that 9/11 was a major turning point in his life.
“I’ll never forget the images,” he said. “I’ll never forget what it was like to get that phone call from a buddy of mine in New York, telling me to turn on the television, like so many of us got those phone calls that day. Since then, I’ve met just so many 9/11 family members, first responders who lost loved ones, lost friends.”
Sinise then said that the 9/11 terrorist attacks caused him to turn his life “toward service in a very, very active way.”
Watch Sinise talk more about this in the video below.
Related: Gary Sinise’s Band Honors 250 Families Of Veterans And Fallen Service Members
9/11 ‘Forced Me To Rethink Everything’
This comes one year after Sinise marked the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack with a lengthy post on his website.
“I can most certainly say that what happened to our country on September 11, 2001 broke my heart and changed me forever,” he said at the time. “It forced me to rethink everything. What do I really believe? How do I want to raise my kids? What kind of example do I want to set for them? How can I use my good fortune to help?”
Sinise then revealed it was partly the terrorist attacks on 9/11 that inspired him to launch his foundation.
“And so, inspired by so many heroes I have met over the years who were in New York and at the Pentagon on 9/11, the incredible bravery and selflessness of the heroes of United Flight 93 who fought the terrorists that day, and the countless members of our military who have raised their hands to defend our country, I have tried to do as much as possible, traveling around the globe to support our defenders and their families,” he said.
“While we can never do enough for our freedom and security providers, I believe we can always do more to show them we are grateful and that we do not forget,” Sinise added. “I have tried to do that, whenever and wherever I could, in order to ensure that today’s defenders, unlike what happened to our Vietnam veterans, know they are appreciated. Service is a great healer, and it is a good feeling to know there is something that I can do.”
Related: Gary Sinise Honors Clint Eastwood For His Service During The Korean War
In a world where most of our celebrities seem to be self-centered Left-wing nut jobs, Sinise’s selfless and patriotic attitude is very refreshing. God bless for continuing to honor those who died on 9/11, and for going above and beyond to honor both our veterans, and our first responders!
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